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Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It Audiobook
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(3.05) - 399 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Winner of the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe New Talent Award, this acclaimed, multicultural book about a biracial boy with a passion for science will resonate with children everywhere who can’t—or won’t—be defined by categories. Ten-year-old Brendan Buckley is a self-declared scientist: asking questions and looking for answers, but most of all struggling against the overprotective behavior of his parents. Up until now, he has never even met his grandfather—the grandfather his mother won’t even speak of. A chance encounter brings Brendan and his grandfather together where Brendan initiates a relationship with estranged grandfather, Ed DeBose. While they share a passion for geology, they do not share the color of their skin; Brendan’s skin is brown, not pink like Ed DeBose’s. Pretty soon, Brendan sets out to uncover the reason behind Ed’s absence but soon discovers that family secrets can’t be explained by science. A winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award, this is a novel about a boy learning about race relations and what it means to be a family. An NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year "Frazier writes affectingly about what being biracial means in twenty-first century America." —School Library Journal "Brendan is an appealing character with a sense of honor. . . . A good, accessible selection to inspire discussion of racism and prejudice." —Kirkus Reviews "Frazier delivers her messages without using an overly heavy hand. Brendan is a real kid with a passion for science and also a willingness to push his parents' rules." —Booklist
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"My boyfriend's son is participating in the Reading Olympics, and after his disaster of a science project, the only way to really help him out, I figured, is to read the books. So, I began the book with trepidation, uch, a kid's book, but you know what, it was great! And really timely, in light of yesterday's inauguration. A great way to discuss race, and how to ask difficult questions with kids. The metaphors are definitely the "hit you over the head" kind, but it's a great stepping stone to the world of post-adolescent literature."
— Wendy (4 out of 5 stars)
Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It Listener Reviews
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" Brendan has questions he needs answered and he'll do just about anything to get those answers. Brendan has a grandfather he knew nothing about until an accidental meeting over some rocks and minerals. This is a good book if you like rocks or tae kwon do (both resonate with me). This is also a good book for beginning a discussion of race relations and biracial families. Had me boo-hooing though. "
— Marfita, 1/31/2014 -
" Great main character,fun mix of science and weighty family issues. "
— Julie, 1/29/2014 -
" I did not like this book. It was a really boring book to read. "
— Sheharbano, 1/26/2014 -
" A really sweet book with about a million positive messages -- be yourself, be an honest person with integrity, forgive, and be open-minded to all of life's experiences and people. A really nicely done story with a great extended metaphor -- both rocks and minerals are beautiful. "
— Sara, 1/25/2014 -
" A book that manages to be both a funny read for middle grade boys as well as deal with serious issues. Brendan is a wonderfully drawn character. "
— Sarah, 1/22/2014 -
" Great novel about biracial identity and what makes a family. The dialogue and fully developed characters help make this book rise to the top, along with Brendan's very scientific, analytical mind. (I could almost always buy into the notion that Brendan would take the time to talk about all the different kinds of rocks he's learning about, and his other ponderings!) "
— Suzanne, 1/16/2014 -
" Brendan Buckley just lost his favorite Grandpa Clem, but who and where is he other Grandpa. And why does your skin color make a difference about who you are? Brendan explores these questions and more in the fun, but serious book about being bi-racial and peoples fears and pride about being accepting of others. "
— Vicki, 1/13/2014 -
" 9th of 15 SSYRA books read for 3rd to 5th grade next school year...this book is among the more substantial ones in the 3rd to 5th grade selection, I highly recommend it. It is the story of a mixed race boy and his quest to get to know his white grandfather and discover the reason that his parents have no contact with him. While still appropriate for younger readers, it will still be enjoyed by older or more able readers. "
— Sherrie, 1/6/2014 -
" Perhaps one of my favorite recent reads. This book's protagonist had a strong voice with just the right mix of emotional depth and childhood innocence. "
— Stacie, 1/1/2014 -
" audiobook, very well read. 10-yr-old scientist/rock hound/Tae-kwon-do student explores why he has never met his white rock hound grandfather, why white folk are sometimes mean to black folk, why bananas taste so much better than peas, and other big questions. "
— Kathyred, 12/22/2013 -
" Had to read for school. IT WAS AN OK BOOK. NOT VERY GOOD. THE BRENDAN KID WAS A dork! "
— Amhveggie, 12/14/2013 -
" It was really deep. I thought that it showed some things that still happen today. "
— 123, 12/9/2013 -
" SSYRA Elementary book. It started out great...then became very racially charged. It's ends OK. I would have loved to have seen it focus more on Brendan's scientific stuff and rocks...I can see where it would be a good book for multi-racial students. "
— Heather, 12/3/2013 -
" Another very enjoyable book. With an underlying theme of multi-racial prejudice and a collection of fairly obvious symbolism, it was a good mix of elements to the story, weaving a pretty good read. Definitely a book I would recommend to any budding scientists, as well as budding readers. "
— Erik, 10/17/2013 -
" I thought this was a very good book on the effect of racism on a family. "
— Damera, 8/31/2013 -
" Enjoyable to read. Learned new things about rocks. I was nervous about how it would play out because it is a book about the conflict of racism towards blacks but it played out very nicely. "
— Tauna, 4/9/2013 -
" I wish this book was around when I was a kid...not only great science applications but also about self concept. What a great character education book and a book about family and integrity. "
— Katie, 10/8/2012 -
" This book teaces a good lesson abut honesty and integity and never giving up on what you started! "
— Ruth, 2/7/2012 -
" I learned that no one should dislike you because of your color/race, at the end of the story Brendan's grandpa learned his lesson! "
— Kaitlin, 4/29/2011 -
" A nice story about what it means to be part of a family. "
— Catherine, 12/1/2010 -
" I've read all the BOTB books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Rachel, 4/23/2010 -
" i loved it so cool. "
— Mia, 3/18/2010 -
" It was really deep. I thought that it showed some things that still happen today. "
— 123, 2/14/2010 -
" audiobook, very well read. 10-yr-old scientist/rock hound/Tae-kwon-do student explores why he has never met his white rock hound grandfather, why white folk are sometimes mean to black folk, why bananas taste so much better than peas, and other big questions. "
— Kathyred, 2/1/2010 -
" A book that manages to be both a funny read for middle grade boys as well as deal with serious issues. Brendan is a wonderfully drawn character. "
— Sarah, 1/30/2010 -
" A really sweet book with about a million positive messages -- be yourself, be an honest person with integrity, forgive, and be open-minded to all of life's experiences and people. A really nicely done story with a great extended metaphor -- both rocks and minerals are beautiful. "
— Sara, 1/8/2010 -
" This book teaces a good lesson abut honesty and integity and never giving up on what you started! "
— Ruth, 10/25/2009
About Mirron Willis
Mirron Willis—actor of film, stage, and television—is the winner of the prestigious Audie Award for best narration in 2012 and a finalist for the Audie in 2015, as well as the winner of four AudioFile Earphones Awards for his audiobook recordings. He has worked extensively in film and television and on stage with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, and the Ensemble Theatre, among others. He has recorded some 150 audiobooks, including the Smokey Dalton series by Kris Nelscott and My Song by Harry Belafonte. He resides and records audiobooks on his family’s historic ranch in East Texas.